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Central NewsTaipei, June 25 (CNA) The Taiwan People's Party has stated it will propose its own draft bill for unmanned vehicles and revert to annual budget allocations. Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Hui-chih said today that there are no gaps in national defense. To respond to asymmetric warfare and other threats, the Ministry of National Defense's proposed NT$210 billion special act for unmanned vehicles is urgent and necessary, and special budgets are not exempt from oversight.The special act for military procurement, passed by the Legislative Yuan in May, removed items such as drones and unmanned boats. To continue promoting the development of unmanned vehicles for national defense, the Executive Yuan passed the draft "Special Act for Procurement of Unmanned Vehicles for National Defense Autonomy" on June 18. The budget ceiling is NT$210 billion, with procurement of coastal surveillance and attack drones, as well as small suicide drones, to be carried out annually from August of this year to December 2031.Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang stated that the TPP caucus will draft its own "Unmanned Vehicle Development Act" and revert to annual budget allocations.Li Hui-chih said at a press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting that the Legislative Yuan has not completed the review of the central government's general budget for fiscal year 2026 after 301 days. The typhoon season has arrived, and disaster prevention and relief work are urgent. Related funding and resources must be in place immediately to ensure the safety of people's lives and property. She once again urged the Legislative Yuan to consider national development and people's livelihoods and to expedite the review of the general budget.Regarding the special act for unmanned vehicles, Li Hui-chih emphasized that there are no gaps in national defense. To respond to asymmetric warfare, national defense autonomy, and the non-red supply chain strategy, the Ministry of National Defense's proposed NT$210 billion special act for unmanned vehicles is urgent and necessary. It is essential to concentrate resources through a special act and special budget to develop unmanned vehicles and build domestic production and maintenance capabilities.Li Hui-chih stated that the development of drones is a global trend and a consensus among political parties. Many opposition legislators have proposed related initiatives, and the opposition parties should fully understand the importance and urgency of the drone industry. Therefore, the Ministry of National Defense will continue to communicate and coordinate with legislators from all parties, hoping to accelerate the review of the special act.Li Hui-chih pointed out that regarding the budget for the special act, once the draft act is sent to the Legislative Yuan, it will be subject to public oversight. For example, the previously passed special act for national defense procurement had the drone commercial purchase and commissioned manufacturing portions removed after review, indicating that special budgets are not exempt from oversight. Accelerating the construction of unmanned vehicle combat capabilities through a special budget will help Taiwan rapidly develop its asymmetric warfare capabilities and provide the industry with stable development expectations, encouraging investment in research and development and production. (Edited by Lin Ke-lun, Wan Shu-chang) 06/25/2024Stand with facts, your every donation is a force to protect press freedomDownload CNA's "One-Stop News" APP for real-time updatesThe text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.